HELPING JEWISH FAMILIES GROW sable Diapers r PUBLISHED BY THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS Save TIME Save MONEY Publisher Arthur Horwitz Editor Elizabeth Applebaum Art Directors Gayle Baldi, Debbie Schultz Contributing Writers Lynne Konstantin Mark Lichterman Diane Schaefer Scott Warheit Copy Editor Phillip Applebaum Photographer Daniel Lippitt General Manager Marianne B. Taylor Production Manager Curtis DeLoye Assistant Production Manager Gayle Baldi Production Cathy Ciccone, Marla Cooper, Ralph Orme Accounting Linda McCarthy, Brigette Thompson Office Staff Tobie Kuppe, Sue Maniloff, Susie Sherman Fulfillment Supervisor Paula Smith Circulation Kevin Chmielewski Marketing Manager Illana P. Greenberg Marketing Coordinator Sandy Rockind Advertising Director Shari Cimino Sales Assistant Diana Kathryn Wolfe Senior Account Executive Danny Raskin Account Executives Heather Bondy, Heidi Brandemihl, Ellen Finn, Missy Handler, Kathy Johnson, Betsy Leemon, Patricia McMurray, Rick Nessel, Dharlene Norris, Michelle Weyh, Lisa Wylin Graphic Designer Todd Skiba Inside Sales Representive Barbara Lopez Inside Sales Supervisor Karin Indig PUBLISHED BY: 459 The Jewish News Group of Waterspout Communications LLC Founder Charles A. Buerger Executive Vice Presidents Andrew A. Buerger, Arthur M. Horwitz, Sylvia Boyko Stafford Corporate Art Director Robyn Katz Jewish News Editor Phil Jacobs Display Ad Deadline: Monday, 4:30 pm Offices: 27676 Franklin Road Southfield, MI 48034 810-354-6060 General 810-354-6060 Display Advertising 810-354-6069 Editorial Fax 810-354-1210 Advertising Fax 810-354-6620 Circulation THE APPLETREE (LISPS 275-520) IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY AS A SUPPLEMENT TO THE JEWISH NEWS AT 27676 FRANKLIN ROAD, SOUTHFIELD. MICHIGAN.PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAID AT SOUTH- FIELD, MICHIGAN AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. POSTMAS- TER, SEND CHANGES TO: DETROIT JEWISH NEWS, 27676 FRANKLIN ROAD, SOUTHFIELD. MICHIGAN 48034. ©COPYRIGHT 1997 DETROIT JEWISH NEWS ith three young chil- dren and a full-time job, it's rare I find time to read. When I do, it's usually late at night, and something along the lines of People is about as intel- lectual as I can take. But several weeks ago I was in Borders when I saw a book called Feather: A Child'sDeath and Life. I was intrigued by the cover, a small boy in a checked jacket and boots. I got a copy. One night I began reading, and I read for hours, late into the night. Feather (a nickname from his sister) was born Richard Pe- ters in 1955. He was 4 when he contracted encephalitis. His descent into death was quick. His parents thought he had some kind of bug, and let him rest in his room upstairs. Hours later, Robert Peters stood hold- ing his son, telling his wife, "He's dying. He's dying." Usually, I try to avoid books like these because the pain is so searing, like fire in the heart. I lose sleep, hover over my own children, feel uneasy about God. But I urge you to get this book, because while the reading is painful it is also tender. Peters is an exceptional- ly good writer who loved his son to the very heart of his soul. So consumed was I by Feather that I spoke of it at length with anyone who would listen. Most, I'm sure, thought I was strange. One did not. Her name is Melody. Melody is a member of a Baptist Church in Kansas, where she lives. A number of years ago, the young son of one of her close friends became ill. His fever was high, and he was listless. His parents took him to the doctor, who assured them he would be fine. Soon after, the boy died of meningitis. Melody is a pi- anist who has played at many fu- A nerals, and conse- Child's Death quently has seen and much of death. But Lice this one was unfor- gettable, she said. The boy's toys and everything important to him were lined up beside his coffin. She specifi- cally recalled his bicycle. In addition to the heart- break, though, something quite unusual happened at this fu- neral. The boy's father had been active in an organ donor organization, and very much believed in the cause. After de- livering the eulogy, Melody's minister took out his driver's li- cense and signed the back, agreeing to donate his organs after death, in memory of the little boy who was lost. I have thought again and again of this gesture — how giving it was, and how out of despair can come such kind- ness. If only we all made a step to doing gemilut chesidim (acts of lovingkindness), such as donating to charity, whenev- er we hear of a tragedy. What a world we might make. Elizabeth Applebaum, Editor Free door to door delivery r INTRODUCTORY OFFER $200 OFF A CASE Limited to 1 certificate per diaper wearing child per family. (Expires 9/30/97) L I Never run out of diapers at the worst possible time. DIAPERS DIRECTT" OF MICHIGAN 810-594-4994 Personalized Candy Bar Announcements SOth flitrliversah, A 13°Y twas ;11 4,1 (130' , ;40 4 1 ,24 Birthdays Baby's Arrival Graduations Bar/Bat Mitzvahs Weddings Showers Business Cards Corporate Gifts v otiON1 t 0 ara (248) 583-3231